3D Finite Element Modeling of Young’s modulus of nanoclay/polymer composites

A 3-D Finite Element Method (FEM) to compute the elastic modulus of nanoclay-reinforced polymer is investigated in this study. Using Python in ABAQUS Scripting Interface, a Representative Volume Element (RVE) comprised of three phases is developed. Being able to investigate the third dimension (the dimension in the direction of loading), nanoclay is simulated as a thin cuboid. The effect of parameters, such as the change of the nanoclay contact area for a constant volume fraction, aspect ratio, length (third dimension) of th nanoclay and the ratio of interphase to nanoclay thickness on the elastic modulus is considered. Also, the FEM results are compared with two and three-phase theories of Mori Tanaka. The results revealed that if the volume fraction of the nanoclay remains constant, as the total contact area of the nanoclay increases, a greater elastic modulus will be procured, which is the most important advantage of the materials at nanoscale.